The Lagos State Government has called on all Nigerians, not just stakeholders, to protect and promote the country’s cultural heritage, arts and tourism assets.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, made the call at a news conference organised by the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators in Lagos ahead of its 10th Annual General Meeting scheduled for July 8.
She said; “we are all tourist operators. if we don’t pay attention to them and promote them we won’t be taken seriously.”
Mrs Oyekan-Ismaila said that tourism practitioners, cultural promoters and residents must work collectively to preserve the resources that make Lagos and Nigeria attractive destinations.
She also appreciated all the efforts made by tour operators and other stakeholders in promoting the country’s tourism destinations.
“We appreciate the effort, the sleepless night that we put into promoting tourism destinations, into promoting our culture, into promoting our food, into promoting our mode of dressing and everything that we represent as Nigerians, and in the state,” She stated.
Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila, described Lagos as Nigeria’s tourism capital, noting that the state government had prioritised tourism and entertainment under the Sanwo-Olu-led administration’s development agenda.
Also speaking at the press conference, the President of NATOP, Bolaji Mustapha, said the association chose Lagos as the host of its 10th AGM after receiving strong support from the state government for tourism development initiatives.
Mustapha said that, “although the AGM was initially planned for another state, the association decided to return to Lagos in recognition of the state’s consistent partnership in destination promotion and industry development.”
She recalled the state government’s support for World Tourism Day activities, community engagement projects at Takwa Bay, and its major role in securing an exhibition stand for the association at last year’s world tourism market in London.
“They have supported us enough. Let us come back to Lagos, at least before this term ends,”Mustapha said
The NATOP President said the AGM, scheduled for July 8 to July 12, will be held under the theme, ‘Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential: Strengthening Tour Operators for Sustainable Destination Development’.
According to Mustapha, the conference will provide a platform for stakeholders to promote domestic tourism and strengthen industry partnerships.
“It will also advocate supportive policies and showcase Nigeria’s tourism potential as a driver of economic growth, investment and job creation,” She noted.
The Nigerian Association of Tour Operators, NATOP will inaugurate its first national secretariat at the upcoming AGM.
